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Python Python Basics (2015) Logic in Python Conditional Value

Posted by Cam Treschuk
Cam Treschuk
7,378 Points

I am having a problem with the challenge. It gives me a syntax error on line 1, but line 1 was part of original code

admitted = None if age >= 13 then admitted = True

conditions.py 
admitted = None
if age >= 13 then
    admitted = True

3 Answers

Samuel Ferree
Samuel Ferree
31,722 Points
Samuel Ferree
Samuel Ferree
31,722 Points

Not sure why it says the error is on line 1, but python uses a colon (:) instead of 'then' after if statements

admitted = None
if age >= 13: # use : not 'then'
  admitted = True
Katie Wood
Katie Wood
19,141 Points
Katie Wood
Katie Wood
19,141 Points

While it does say line 1 when I try it also, the actual issue is on line 2 - python doesn't use the if-then format, but rather a colon to end the 'if' line. If you take out the 'then' and add a colon (:), it should pass. Like this:

admitted = None
if age >= 13:
    admitted = True
Jason Anders
MOD
Jason Anders
Treehouse Moderator 145,858 Points
Jason Anders
Jason Anders
Treehouse Moderator 145,858 Points

For those wondering about why the compiler stated line #1 ...
In programming, pretty much every time you have a syntax error, the compiler will indicate the previous line, but this isn't really what the compiler is doing. When is says line #1, it is saying that that was as far as it could go before the code 'broke'. The compiler could not compile line #2 because of the error, so, it its 'world' line #2 doesn't really exist, so it thinks the problem happened after line one compiled.

In short, whenever you get a line number "showing" a problem, always look at the line (or even lines) after the line number given.
I hope this helps to clarify why it was "Line 1" and not Line 2 that the compiler threw out.

Keep Coding :) :dizzy: